Under the American system of government, presidential, congressional and state governor elections are held at different intervals and under different circumstances.
General elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Many elections are thus held simultaneously. An elector may vote for President, House district, Senate, Governor, State legislature and a host of other positions on the same occasion.
Special elections may be held at any time.
Presidential Elections
The president and vice president are elected to four-year terms in even-number years evenly divisible by 4 (e.g. 1992, 1996, 2000, etc.) The 22nd amendment to the Constitution limits presidents to no more than two terms.
In the event the presidency becomes vacant due to death, permanent disability, resignation or impeachment, the vice president becomes the new president. During the temporary disability of the president, the vice president serves as acting president. In the event of a vice presidential vacancy, the president nominates a replacement who must be approved by Congress before taking office as the new vice president.
- State-by-State Presidential Election Results Since 1972 – colour-coded table
- Nov 19, 2000: Presidential Election Results 1964-2000 – figures on the popular vote, number of States won by the candidates and the Electoral College tally for each candidate.
- Oct 05, 2000: 2000 Pre-election Prognosis – with Electoral College maps
- Jun 01, 2000: 2000 Presidential Candidates
- Jan 10, 2000: 2000 Presidential Primary/Caucus Dates & Delegates
- Dec 01, 1996: Voter Turnout in US Presidential Elections 1936-1996.
- Nov 19, 1996: Comparison of the 1996 and 1992 Presidential Election Results – State-by-State.
- Nov 15, 1996: A State-by-State Guide to the results of the 1996 Presidential Election – includes an earlier prognosis for each State.
- Nov 19, 1992: Presidential Election Results 1984-92 – a State-by-State analysis of the Reagan, Bush and Clinton victories.
- US Election Atlas – external link
Senate Elections
Senators are elected to six-year terms in even-numbered years. The terms are staggered so that the terms of approximately one-third of all Senators expire every two years. Thus, approximately 30-36 Senate seats are up for re-election every two years. The Constitution establishes no limit on the number of terms a person may serve in the Senate.
If a senator dies, resigns or is expelled, the governor of the affected state appoints a temporary replacement who holds office until a special election can be held to elect a replacement.
- Aug 14, 2016: US Senators – listed by Class and showing States holding elections in 2016
- Oct 01, 2002: 2002 Senate Contests
- Mar 19, 2000: 2000 Senate Contests
- Jan 05, 1999: US Senators 1999 – full list following the 1998 elections
- Jan 05, 1997: US Senators 1997 – full list following the 1996 elections
- Nov 10, 1996: Results of the 34 Senate Elections on November 5, 1996 – includes an earlier prognosis for each race.
- Jan 16, 1996: US Senators 1996 – full list ahead of the 1996 elections
House of Representatives Elections
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are elected to two-year terms in even-numbers years. In the event a representative dies, resigns or is expelled, a special election is held to elect a replacement. The Constitution establishes no limit on the number of terms a person may serve in the House.
The four non-voting delegates to Congress from the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands and America Samoa are also elected to two-year terms in even-numbered years, while Puerto Rico’s non-voting resident commissioner in Congress is elected to a four-year term in the same years as presidential elections are held.
- Sep 01, 2000: 2000 Elections – Close Contests in House of Representatives
- Nov 10, 1996: 1996 Elections – Freshmen Incumbents in the House of Representatives
Gubernatorial Elections
The constitution of each state specifies the terms of office for its governor. As a result, governors may serve either a two- or four-year term. In most states, governors are elected in even-numbered years, but in several states gubernatorial elections are held in odd-numbered years. The number of terms a governor may serve also varies from state to state. A number of states allow governors to serve an unlimited number of terms, while others restrict governors to a single term.
In most states, political parties hold primary elections to select their candidates for governor and federal office. In a number of states, however, party members meet in conventions or caucuses to select their candidates. Each state determines its own date for holding primary elections, with most primaries taking place in the period May-September immediately before the general election.
- Oct 19, 2000: 2000 Gubernatorial Contests
- Mar 19, 2000: 2000 Governors
- Jun 19, 1997: 1997 Governors
- Nov 10, 1996: Gubernatorial Election Results from November 5, 1996 – includes an earlier prognosis for each race.
Archived Posts
- January 6, 2024: DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT: BIDEN
- August 20, 2020: Joe Biden: Acceptance Speech for Democratic Party Presidential Nomination
- August 17, 2020: Michelle Obama: Speech to the Democratic Party Convention
- September 26, 2016: Hillary Clinton And Donald Trump Meet In First Presidential Debate
- July 21, 2016: Donald Trump Acceptance Speech: Republican Party Convention
- June 7, 2016: Hillary Clinton Claims Democratic Nomination; Trump Signals Personal Attack Next Week
- January 9, 2013: Getting It So Wrong: The Republicans And The Presidential Election
- October 3, 2012: Obama And Romney Meet In First Presidential Debate
- September 25, 2012: Obama Ads In Ohio Attack Romney Over Taxes
- September 18, 2012: The Day Mitt Romney Lost The Presidential Election?
- September 5, 2012: Bill Clinton Address To The Democratic Party Convention
- September 4, 2012: Michelle Obama Addresses Democratic Party Convention
- August 30, 2012: Mitt Romney Accepts Republican Party Nomination For President
- August 30, 2012: Clint Eastwood And His Empty Chair
- August 11, 2012: Mitt Romney Chooses Paul Ryan As Vice-Presidential Running Mate
- May 15, 2012: Obama Campaign Launches Anti-Romney Bain Capital TV Ad
- April 11, 2012: Rick Santorum Withdraws From Republican Presidential Contest
- January 11, 2012: Mitt Romney Wins Republican Primary In New Hampshire
- January 9, 2012: Republican Candidates LIVE Debate on ‘Meet The Press’
- January 4, 2012: The Iowa Caucuses: A Model Of Participatory Democracy?
- December 31, 2011: Prospects for the Republican Party Iowa Caucus
- November 5, 2008: Rudd Congratulates Obama On Election Win
- November 5, 2008: President Bush Congratulates Barack Obama On His Election As President
- November 5, 2008: A MOMENT OF HISTORY IN AMERICA AS OBAMA CLAIMS THE PRESIDENCY
- November 5, 2008: McCain Concedes Defeat; Magnificent, Gracious Speech Marred By Jeers From Republican Crowd
- November 5, 2008: OBAMA WINS PRESIDENCY
- November 5, 2008: Obama On Track To Win Presidency
- November 2, 2008: London Observer Endorses Obama
- October 29, 2008: Say Good-Night, Senator Dole
- October 29, 2008: Closing Argument: Obama Sums Up
- October 26, 2008: Defining Moment: Obama Moves To Close The Deal
- October 25, 2008: Calculate Your Tax Cut: Obama’s Online Widget
- October 24, 2008: New York Times Endorses Obama For President
- October 22, 2008: The New Republic Endorses Obama
- October 21, 2008: John Cleese On The U.S. Election
- October 20, 2008: Sarah Palin On Saturday Night Live
- October 19, 2008: Eloquent Support For Obama From Colin Powell
- October 17, 2008: Obama And McCain Draw Laughs At Dinner
- October 17, 2008: For First Time In 161 Years, Chicago Tribune Endorses Democratic Party Candidate
- October 17, 2008: Joe The Plumber: The Original Exchange With Obama
- October 17, 2008: Washington Post Endorses Obama
- October 16, 2008: McCain On Attack In Final Presidential Debate With Obama
- October 15, 2008: Sarah Palin Stump Speech In New Hampshire
- October 13, 2008: Boston Globe Endorses Obama
- October 11, 2008: G7 Communique Pledges Action To Restore Credit Flows
- October 11, 2008: ‘We Are Acting Aggressively,’ Bush Says
- October 8, 2008: Obama And McCain Meet In Second Presidential Debate
- October 7, 2008: Sarah Palin’s Stump Speech To Republican Party Base
- October 6, 2008: Palin and Biden on Saturday Night Live
- October 3, 2008: Biden And Palin Meet In Vice-Presidential Debate
- September 26, 2008: First Presidential Debate: Obama And McCain
- September 26, 2008: McCain and Obama Meet In First Presidential Debate
- August 27, 2008: Hillary Clinton Moves Nomination Of Barack Obama At Democratic Party Convention
- March 18, 2008: Barack Obama’s Speech on Race
- March 4, 2008: John McCain Claims The Republican Nomination; Huckabee Withdraws
- February 7, 2008: Mitt Romney Suspends Presidential Bid
- February 5, 2008: John McCain’s Super Tuesday Speech
- February 5, 2008: Barack Obama’s Super Tuesday Speech
- January 28, 2008: Senator Kennedy Endorses Barack Obama For President
- January 15, 2008: Mitt Romney’s Victory Speech – Michigan Primary
- January 15, 2008: Mike Huckabee Concedes In Michigan Primary
- December 6, 2007: ‘Faith In America’: Mitt Romney’s Speech On Faith
- November 3, 2004: President George W. Bush Wins Second Term; Kerry Concedes
- October 17, 2004: New York Times Endorses John Kerry For President
- September 30, 2004: Bush And Kerry Meet In First Presidential Debate
- February 3, 2004: Democratic Primaries Cement John Kerry’s Position As Frontrunner For Presidential Nomination
- January 29, 2004: Arianna Huffington: Judy Dean And The Politics Of Authenticity
- January 27, 2004: John Kerry Wins New Hampshire Democratic Primary; Election Night Speeches
- January 27, 2004: Michael Moore: You Say Deserter, I Say More Dessert…
- January 22, 2004: Democratic Party Candidates Debate In New Hampshire
- January 20, 2004: ‘Don’t Give Up’: Michael Moore Tells Dean Supporters
- January 19, 2004: Kerry Wins Iowa Caucus; Edwards Second; Dean’s Extraordinary Non-Concession Speech
- January 14, 2004: Why Michael Moore Is Supporting Wesley Clark
- October 2, 2002: New Jersey Supreme Court Decision On Robert Torricelli
- October 1, 2002: US Senate Elections 2002
- January 20, 2001: President George W. Bush’s Inaugural Address
- November 19, 2000: Presidential Election Results 1964-2000
- October 5, 2000: The Electoral College And The 2000 Presidential Election
- October 1, 2000: Gore And Bush Prepare For Debates As FBI Investigates Video Leak
- September 1, 2000: The Close Contests In The 2000 US Congressional Elections
- August 25, 2000: George W. Bush Commits To Free Trade With Latin America
- August 17, 2000: Al Gore Accepts Democratic Party Nomination For President
- August 16, 2000: Lieberman Accepts Democratic Nomination For Vice-President
- August 15, 2000: Clinton Defends Economic Record, Touts Gore’s Qualifications
- August 14, 2000: President Clinton’s Speech to the Democratic Party National Convention
- August 14, 2000: Hillary Clinton’s Speech to 2000 Democratic Party National Convention
- August 13, 2000: Democratic Party Convention Set To Begin In Los Angeles
- August 8, 2000: Gore Chooses Lieberman As Running Mate
- August 3, 2000: Bush Accepts Republican Party Nomination For President
- August 3, 2000: Bush and Cheney Nominated As Republican Presidential Ticket
- July 31, 2000: Republican Convention Begins In Philadelphia
- June 1, 2000: 2000 Presidential Candidates
- May 19, 2000: New York Mayor Giuliani Announces Withdrawal From Senate Race
- May 10, 2000: Senator John McCain Endorses George W. Bush
- March 19, 2000: US Senate Contests – 2000
- February 23, 2000: McCain Wins Michigan & Arizona Primaries; Bush Now In Trouble
- February 21, 2000: Bush Wins South Carolina; McCain Campaign Falters
- January 25, 2000: Bush Wins Iowa Caucus; Strong Showing By Forbes; Gore Crushes Bradley
- January 10, 2000: 2000 US Presidential Primary Election Dates
- January 2, 2000: U.S. Presidential Election About To Hot Up
- October 25, 1999: U.S. Presidential Race Taking Shape as Dole Drops Out
- January 5, 1997: US Senators 1997 – Full List
- December 1, 1996: Voter Turnout In US Presidential Elections 1936-1996
- November 19, 1996: Comparison Statistics Of 1992 And 1996 Clinton Election Victories
- November 15, 1996: 1996 Presidential Prognosis And Results
- November 10, 1996: US Senate Elections 1996: Prognosis And Results
- November 10, 1996: Prognosis for House of Representatives Freshmen 1996
- November 10, 1996: 1996 Governors’ Elections: Predictions And Results
- January 16, 1996: US Senators 1996 – Full List
- November 19, 1992: Presidential Election Results 1984-1992
- July 14, 1972: Senator George McGovern’s 1972 Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speech